A 24-year-old sailor who was shot and killed aboard a Navy destroyer while trying to protect another will be awarded a medal for heroism.
The Navy says Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Mayo of Hagerstown, Md. will be posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.
The Navy says Mayo was shot and killed aboard the USS Mahan after he dove in front of another sailor to protect her from a civilian truck driver who had seized her gun.
The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism by the Navy.
The Navy says Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson, vice chief of naval operations, will present the award to Mayo's family in a private ceremony on Friday prior to Mayo's burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
